Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mitch Albom notes the
following, of a black high school student whose video from a left-wing
demonstration recently went viral:

[W]hen I told her many students write moving essays, overcome odds,
have great extracurriculars (like her debate team position) and also don't get
in to U-M -- despite higher grades and scores than hers -- she grew
frustrated.

"I'm doing the best I can in this life," she said. "If
it's not reflected in my academics, I don't know what else I need to do."

...

And with that, Brooke Kimbrough wasn't white or black:
She was one of countless kids today who feel that without their first college
choice, their future is doomed. I told her it's not. She can do great things
attending Michigan State, Iowa, Western Michigan or Howard -- all fine
universities that accepted her.

I found much to be indignant about in this episode, but see that Albom did not
let that get the better of him as a writer. He got past that and saw the
opportunity to reach a young mind, and perhaps many more like her. Polemics
have their place, but they are hardly the only means of moral suasion.